Myths & Facts

Myth: Children aren’t at risk for developing gum disease and therefore do not need to see a periodontist.

Fact: While approximately only 1% of children develop gum disease, it is a possibility. It is important to seek periodontal care at the earliest signs of periodontitis to help prevent it from progressing. Periodontists can help determine the risk of developing a more significant problem if a child has signs/symptoms of periodontal disease. They can assist your general dentist by developing a collaborative treatment plan for the long-term management of the patient, minimizing the potential for tooth loss.

Myth: The dental implant procedure is very painful.

Fact: When performed by a highly trained and skilled implant surgeon, dental implant placement can be one of the least painful dental experiences. Dr. Frankel has the necessary advanced surgical training to provide state of art care in a manner that provides great comfort.

Myth: It is more expensive to see a periodontist for management of my gum problems and/or placement of my implant compared to my general dentist.

Fact: The fee that is charged for a procedure takes in to account many factors. These include the type of procedure that is being preformed, the advanced education that your periodontist has received and their attained level of skill, the quality of the materials used, and the efficiency of the staff present to serve you.

Myth: My dentist says he can place my dental implant and that my case is simple.

Fact: There is no such thing as simple surgery. Periodontal and dental implant surgery of any form is a complex, advanced dental procedure that should never be taken lightly. Periodontists are surgical dental specialists who have completed extensive surgical training in dental surgery from an American Dental Association accredited 3 year post graduate residency program.

Fact: That is true. All general dentists are trained and should be capable of performing periodontal therapy for patients who present with mild/early forms of periodontal disease. A periodontist, however, specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease, as well as dental implant placement. All periodontists are general dentists, but they have also received 3 years of additional training after dental school to obtain the necessary education to perform procedures in periodontics. For patients who are diagnosed with moderate and advanced forms of periodontal disease (whether localized or generalized forms), treatment by a periodontal specialist is indicated. The value of seeing a periodontal specialist is that he/she can co-ordinate with the general dentist and provide the best approach for the patient under a TEAM APPROACH to oral heatlh care.

Myth: Periodontists are only needed for the more complex and challenging gum disease and implant cases.

Fact: A periodontist is able to recognize the differences between simple cases and complex cases, and has the skill necessary to provide the proper treatment for either. And when a case is challenging, periodontists know how to properly manage the periodontal aspects of patient care from start to finish.